Have you ever noticed more tires on the side of the road during the summer? Summer brings the year’s hottest temperatures and is also the time of year when many people are driving more miles. Perhaps it’s a summer vacation or taking the kids out and about; many people log more miles during the summer. Here are some of the contributing factors to summer tire failures:
- Under-inflated Tires – When a tire is under-inflated too much of the tire touches the ground, which results in more friction than the tire is made to handle. This friction causes the rubber, steel, and composites of the tire to overheat, weaken and may lead to tread separation. Combined with extreme heat, high friction causes frequent summer blowouts. Be careful to check the condition of your tires regularly and make sure you do not have low tire pressure.
- Overweight Vehicles – We pack a lot into our cars, vans’ SUV’s and trucks, especially during the summer! Pay attention to how much weight your vehicle is carrying. Between extra passengers, sports gear, luggage, coolers or even trailers, you may be overloading your vehicle. Check the driver’s side door for information regarding maximum weight and proper tire pressures to carry heavy loads. If you’re carrying a lot of weight in the vehicle this summer, you may want to inflate the tire to the maximum pressure indicated on the vehicle.
- Tire Impact or Collision – Did you hit a nasty pothole this winter? Impacts with potholes, driveway lips, parking lot dividers, speed bumps, curbs and other obstacles can pinch, cut or otherwise damage the tire. Unfortunately, the damage may have occurred inside of the tire, which prevents the driver from noticing any changes. Remember to have your pressures, alignment and overall tire and vehicle condition checked during routine oil changes.
Tire blowouts often occur due to neglect. Because your tires are your vehicle’s most important safety feature, make sure you have them routinely checked before, during and after the summer months to prevent breakdowns and failures. Blowouts are dangerous for the driver and other vehicles around you on the road. To discuss the proper inflation, carrying capacity or condition of your tires, schedule an appointment with one of our twelve locations.
